The Macaulay Road Centre in Kensington was a hive of activity on 29 April when the centre celebrated its official opening.

The custom designed premises and extensive new facilities are available to people who are blind or have low vision in the City of Melbourne and western metropolitan areas.

The occasion attracted an impressive turnout. Vision Australia clients, the community, the Vision Australia Board and staff were joined by government dignitaries, Honorable Bill Shorten and Senator Mitch Fifield.

Honorable Bill Shorten is the Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children’s Services, Federal Member for Maribyrnong, and Parliamentary Secretary for Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction.

Senator Mitch Fifield is Liberal Senator for Victoria, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary and Coalition Spokesperson for Disabilities, Carers and the Voluntary Sector, and Deputy Manager of Opposition Business in the Senate.

“It is with great excitement that Vision Australia announces the official opening of the Macaulay Road Centre in Kensington. This state of the art facility sets the benchmark in terms of accessibility for people who are blind or have low vision,”

said Mr Gerard Menses, CEO.

The centre features a clear and logical layout, luminance contrast inside the building, tactile ground surface indicators and signage. Glare reduction lighting has also been installed as well as handrails along main pathways.

The centre is also designed to meet the growing need for services, given the number of Australians who are blind or have low vision set to double to 600,000 by 2020.

“Every day, 23 Australians learn that they will lose their sight. Thankfully Vision Australia will be there to provide advice and offer a range of services and support to help them deal with this transition,”

said Mr Menses.

The centre offers a wide range of services in the one location. These include low vision clinics and an onsite orthoptist, daily living and adaptive technology training, employment and recreation services as well as equipment solutions.

Two commercial divisions will also be housed in the building. One employs people who are blind or have low vision as part of a packaging, manufacturing and warehousing facility. The second offers advice about delivering accessible online and print information.

The building fit-out was funded through the generosity of loyal donors as well as money raised from the sale of other properties.

“With a $14.7 million price tag, it has been a massive project for a not-for-profit organisation,”

Mr Menses said.

“I consider it to be a huge feather in Vision Australia’s cap.”

“Vision Australia relies on the support of local communities and we are looking forward to establishing even closer links with the people of the City of Melbourne,”

he added.